Melissa Gaffney is soliciting questions to candidates

Courier Staff Writer Melissa L. Gaffney is collecting questions from Middletown residents that she will pose to candidates -- well, she'll pose 'em but it's another matter entirely if they'll answer 'em.

I think it's pretty much a lock that the Dems will, Mr. James Grenafege and Mrs. Patricia Walsh. Where it involves the Republicans, I would go 50-50 with Mr. Anthony Fiore. But, it would be a longshot in my book if Mrs. Pamela Brightbill answered anuthing at all.

Walsh comes out for reform in Middletown

Middletown Democrat for Township Committee Patricia Walsh issued a Thursday press release saying she intends to propose to the Middeltown Committee an ordinance that would disallow elected officials on the governing body from holding contracts with the township or the county.

Mrs. Walsh said she hopes the Middletown Committee takes this issue under advisement as one way to restore the faith that voters should have in their elected officials. Mrs. Walsh was joined in this call by her running mate, Mr. James Grenafege.

Mrs. Walsh credited this idea to Middletown Committeeman Patrick Short, who inspired it. Committeeman Short is a long-time opponent of elected officials holding contracts with the municipality where they hold office. Mr. Short is also a well-known opponent of dual-office holding.

Mrs. Walsh said it would be a good idea for the committee to memorialize the prohibition against committee people holding contracts with an ordinance.

Walsh weighs in on Green Acres issue

RESS RELEASE

*FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION*
/September 19, 2007/

POC: Patricia A. Walsh
Democrat for 13th District Assembly
Tel: (908) 601-1252/Email: walshforassembly@yahoo.com

Website: www.walshforassembly.blogspot.com

*Walsh applauds Commissioner’s decision regarding Ocean Grove Pavilion*

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Democrat for 13th District
Assembly Patricia A. Walsh said yesterday that she supports the decision
made today to which strips the tax exempt status of the Ocean Grove
Pavilion because of it failure to comply with state and federal law.

“You can’t have it both ways” said Walsh “You can’t accept taxpayer funds from
outside the community and then say you won’t abide by the law of the land.” In a
decision made by the State Commissioner of Environmental Protection, Lisa Jackson
she declined to recertify the tax exempt status of the Boardwalk Pavilion.

Since 1989 the pavilion has enjoyed that status under the State’s Green Acres Program,
which is designed to encourage the use of privately owned land for public recreation.
In her letter to the association she stated “it is clear that the pavilion is not open to all
persons on an equal basis.”

Walsh stated” When the taxpayers fund open space, that is exactly how it should be
treated, as open space for all New Jersey resident’s.”She continued “ It boils down to a
question of fairness, just as the Camp Meeting Association values it’s neighbors, so must
they all be treated in the same way. Discrimination and prejudice, should have no place
especially in equal access to open space. ”

“I sincerely hope that the members of the Ocean Grove community will take a close look at
this decision and find some way to put an end to the conflict rather than commit to the
divisiveness of litigation.”

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Walsh posts on Middletown Committee

Thirteenth District Democratic Candidate Patricia Walsh has a good post on her blog about the Middletown Committee. It is thought provoking. Click on the headline and go there.

Caption: The photo has nothing to do with the post. I just liked it a lot. The Victory Center at Yorktown is great if anyone has any ideas about vacationing in Virginia.